Blew up gearbox on bush hog

I purchased an extremely used bush hog mower (brand unknown) last year for $150.00. This thing is made of granite. However, my gearbox started to shake really bad and finally exploded yesterday. The entire assembly just fell out the bottom. It looks like a bearing failure, the teeth on the gear look fine. I'm hoping it's just a bearing issue.

Until I can get it torn down, I won't know for sure but I have some questions. Should I look at getting a new gearbox? Should I try and get this one rebuilt? What does a new gearbox cost, standard?

Being that I only got $150 invested in the unit, would I be better off just buying a new mower? This mower is a bit banged up, but it is a load and built like a tank.

I know this is not a lot of information, I'll get some pictures posted soon.

I have a 5 ft. Big Bee brand bush hog that I use with my 1973 Ford 2000 tractor. Last summer the gear box locked up on me. I bought a new unit from a local used tractor lot for $150.00. It bolted right in and I was back in the field within about 1 hour of picking up the unit.

If you can get a good new unit, I'd recommend that you give serious thought to buying it and replacing your present unit.

Good luck,

Tom in TN

Like he said it is critical to set the gear lash right.